Sport

Martin enjoying weight of pressure

RYAN Martin insists that he thrives off his nervous energy as he prepares for his second fight in the paid ranks.

The 20-year-old former England international is gearing up to face Kevin McCauley at the Oasis Leisure Centre on the undercard of Kelvin Young’s first defence of his IBO super-middleweight inter-continental title on June 7.

And while the ex-Walcot amateur admits he does feel the pressure of big fight nights, it is something that he enjoys.

“I always feel the pressure, even when I fought in the amateurs, but I seem to perform well” he said. “I thrive off people wanting to see me do well.

“The first peformance (against Jason Nesbitt in March) was edgy, but I think people were impressed with it.”

However, Martin knows that as well as being physically ready to step between the ropes next month, he has to have his mind on the game.

“I’m feeling good physically and mentally,” the former junior ABA champion said. “That is important, to be mentally ready. If you are not there is no point stepping into the ring.

The young welterweight admits he would have liked to had a fight since making his pro debut in March and only a hand injury forced him to withdraw from a second outing in April at the GL1 Leisure Centre in Gloucester.

“I had told myself when I turn pro I do everything right,” Martin said. “I go in 100 per cent, anything wrong don’t do it.

“This is a career for me, I’m not looking to just get in there and try and make a hobby of it.